Milwaukee business owner convicted of tax and bankruptcy offenses

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Lakeesha S. Jackson (45) of Milwaukee pleaded guilty to federal tax and bankruptcy crimes in January, according to Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

According to court documents, Jackson was the owner and operator of Nurturing Concepts LLC, a personal care agency. She willfully failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more than $100,000 in payroll taxes her business withheld from employee paychecks in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2017.

Nurturing Concepts then filed a bankruptcy petition under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code listing the IRS as its largest creditor. Jackson admitted to fraudulently submitting a forged bank statement during this proceeding in an effort to hide a $40,000 transfer from Nurturing Concepts to Jackson’s successor business, Center of Care LLC. Jackson further admitted to improperly diverting to this successor business payments made out to Nurturing Concepts, according to authorities.

“Individuals and businesses who engage in this type of tax and bankruptcy fraud not only injure every taxpayer but also place businesses who play by the rules at a commercial disadvantage,” said Haanstad.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners to hold individuals who engage in these offenses fully accountable for their actions,” Haanstad added.

Federal officials in Chicago agreed.

“Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service,” stated Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell of the Chicago Field Office.

In addition, Campbell stated, “Obstruction and dishonesty are common factors in bankruptcy fraud and IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to lend its expertise in these complex investigations.”

This case was investigated by the Special Agents from the Internal Revenue Services’ Criminal Investigation Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Farris Martini. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30, 2024, before United States District Judge Lynn Adleman